Administrator

Jim Wallis: Christmas in the Trenches

by Administrator 12-27-2006

We first published this reflection by Jim Wallis in 2002. It has since become our Christmas tradition, kind of our own Charlie Brown Christmas special, if you will. With the ongoing conflicts raging during each passing year, it remains tragically relevant.

Brian McLaren's Books of the Year

by Administrator 12-27-2006

Brian McLaren

In 2006 I read so many excellent books, old and new. Here are about 20 of my favorites ... in no order of importance:

Fiction:

Brian McLaren's Books of the Year

by Administrator 12-27-2006

Brian McLaren

In 2006 I read so many excellent books, old and new. Here are about 20 of my favorites ... in no order of importance:

Fiction:

Verse of the Day: 'Happy are those...'

by Administrator 12-27-2006

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the [...]

Verse of the Day: 'Happy are those...'

by Administrator 12-27-2006

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the [...]

Voice of the Day: Saint Therese of Lisieux

by Administrator 12-27-2006

What sweet joy to think that the Lord is just, that He takes into account our weakness, and knows perfectly the frailty of our nature.

- Saint Therese of Lisieux

from "The Little Way for Every Day: Thoughts from Therese of Lisieux"

+ Sign up to receive our quote of [...]

Michael Battle's Books of the Year

by Administrator 12-27-2006

The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom
The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Read More

Voice of the Day: Robert F. Kennedy

by Administrator 12-26-2006

Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, against misery and ignorance, injustice and violence. ... Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of our generation.

- Robert F. Kennedy

Verse of the Day: "The Heart of the Contrite"

by Administrator 12-26-2006

For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not continually accuse, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirits would grow faint before me, even the souls that I have made.

- Isaiah 57:15-16

Verse of the Day: "The Heart of the Contrite"

by Administrator 12-26-2006

For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not continually accuse, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirits would grow faint before me, even the souls that I have made.

- Isaiah 57:15-16

Voice of the Day: Saint Gregory of Nyssa

by Administrator 12-25-2006

"O inexpressible mystery and unheard paradox: the Invisible is seen, the Intangible is touched , the eternal Word becomes accessible to our speech, the Timeless steps into time, the Son of God becomes the Son of Man!"

- Saint Gregory of Nyssa

+ Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

Verse of the Day: "Bless Those Who Persecute You"

by Administrator 12-22-2006

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

- Romans 12:14-18

Karen McKim: 'Twas the War Before Christmas

by Administrator 12-22-2006

Fed up with the so-called "War on Christmas" craziness? One of our readers decided to fight back - with poetry:

'Twas the month before Christmas; with anticipation,
I'd prayed to be peaceful, I'd felt adoration.

The Good News was soon to be shouted out loud.
The Wonder, the Joy, would dispel every cloud.

The [...]

Voice of the Day: Martin Luther King Jr.

by Administrator 12-22-2006

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

+ Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail

Verse of the Day: "Bless Those Who Persecute You"

by Administrator 12-22-2006

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

- Romans 12:14-18

Tony Jones' Books of the Year

by Administrator 12-22-2006

The Things they Carried, by Tim O'Brien
One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Karen McKim: 'Twas the War Before Christmas

by Administrator 12-22-2006

Fed up with the so-called "War on Christmas" craziness? One of our readers decided to fight back - with poetry:

'Twas the month before Christmas; with anticipation,
I'd prayed to be peaceful, I'd felt adoration.

The Good News was soon to be shouted out loud.
The Wonder, the Joy, would dispel every cloud.

The [...]

Tony Jones' Books of the Year

by Administrator 12-22-2006

The Things they Carried, by Tim O'Brien
One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Verse of the Day: Suffering and Patience

by Administrator 12-21-2006

As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

- James 5:10-11

+ Sign up to receive our quote of the day via [...]

Ryan Beiler: Conservatives Cash in on the War on Christmas

by Administrator 12-21-2006

We've all heard the tired sermon cliches about the real meaning of Christmas being overshadowed by the materialism and commercialism of holiday shopping. Blah Blah Blah. Well, here's another layer of crass holiday exploitation for you: The very people claiming to be putting the "Christ" back in "Christmas" are cashing in big time on buttons, magnets, and bumper stickers. Take a deep breath, and then exhale a long exasperated sigh with me as you read this